The Elhattane family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept
Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of
Scotland. The name Elhattane is derived from
a devotion to St. Catan, a saint of whom little is known but who was revered throughout the west coast of
Scotland between the islands of
Bute and
Skye. The Gaelic form of the name was
Mac Gille Chatain, which means
son of St. Catan's servant.Early Origins of the Elhattane family
The surname Elhattane was first found in the area of
Argyllshire on the Isle of
Bute, and literally translated means the "servant of St. Catan," the patron saint of Bute,
Skye,
Colonsay, Gigha. St. Catan was said to have lived at the Abbey of Inchaffray on the isle of Skye.
Early History of the Elhattane family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elhattane research.
Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1424, 1465, 1672, 1670 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Elhattane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Elhattane Spelling Variations
Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with
spelling variations. In various documents Elhattane has been spelled McIlhatton, McElhatton, McElhatten, McGillecattan, McIlchattan, McHilhatton, Makelatyn, Macklehatton, McHatton and many more.
Early Notables of the Elhattane family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Elhattane Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Elhattane family to Ireland
Some of the Elhattane family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Elhattane family to the New World and Oceana
Settlers from
Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American
War of Independence. As
Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Elhattane were among those contributors: James McElhatten settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1866; Arthur, Alexander, Cornelius, and John McIlhattan and McIlhatten settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1860 and 1866.